Mexican Hat Dance Kitties

Sombrero Kitties!

My Kingdom for A Pollock?

My friend M & I have been volunteering at the Chelsea Theatre Works in downtown Chelsea for about a year. We've worked on the set design for several plays. It's been a fantastic experience. For the play "Self-Torture & Strentuous Exercise," (by Harry Kondoleon) back in March 2006, we had to 're-make' several modern artists' works. M did the Picassos below, and I did the Pollocks. We had great fun. At the moment 'our show' is hanging in the gallery of the theatre. For more information on the Chelsea Theatre, see www.theatrezone.org/

To Emily, The Belle of Amherst

For years my sister Jennifer and I have had a great reverence (in an almost biblical, goddess-worshipping way) of Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).

Over the years we've collected and quoted her poetry, read obscure books about her life, watched documentaries & plays about her, & tacked photo postcards of Emily on our bulletin boards.

Of course we have both made the pilgrimage to the Dickinson homestead in Amherst, Massachusetts. My sister has made this sojourn twice.

The highlight of the trip for Jennifer was to procure a charcoal rubbing of Emily's gravestone. This morbid display hung on her bedroom wall for some years! (true love)

I enjoyed the tour of the homestead. As I walked about the creaky 19th century floorboards I thought: "Here I walk upon the same floor that Emily walked upon!"

Also memorable was to see a white dress of Emily's, encased in glass, in the foyer of her house. A small pocket was sewn into one side of the dress. The lore is that while baking or tending to household duties, if Emily thought of a snatch of poetry, she'd scribble it down for later editing.

Emily Dickinson--- the Belle of Amherst, an iconoclast, a dour recluse dressed like a schoolmarm, a diminutive woman, ----and undoubtedly one of our greatest American poets.

Below is a very few of her over 1700 poems:

________________________________________________

I reason, Earth is short --
And Anguish -- absolute --
And many hurt,
But, what of that?

I reason, we could die --
The best Vitality
Cannot excel Decay,
But, what of that?

I reason, that in Heaven --
Somehow, it will be even --
Some new Equation, given --
But, what of that?

__________________________________________________________

We play at Paste --
Till qualified, for Pearl --
Then, drop the Paste --
And deem ourself a fool --

The Shapes -- though -- were similar --
And our new Hands
Learned Gem-Tactics --
Practicing Sands --

If I can stop one Heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one Life the Aching
Or cool one Pain

Or help one fainting Robin
Unto his Nest again
I shall not live in Vain.

_______________________________________________

The Yin & Yang of Kittydom

The Yin and Yang of Kittydom!

The Artist Formerly Known as Zach

My Nephew Zachary (the artist formerly known as Zach) is only six years old, but he's already got quite a series of paintings and mixed media works completed. Recently his pieces were shown around his house in Windham, Maine. Favorite showing areas include the refrigerator, hallways, and the bathroom. Attendees to the show included Nana, Papa, Jack the cat, Dad, Mom, Auntie Norma, Gavin, Natalie, and Eric the boy next door.

Zachary is proud of his work, yet humble. "Yep. I did all those," he commented recently. "I just painted them." Zachary's style is whimsical, and colorful. He has worked with finger paints, watercolor, tempra, tissue paper, construction paper, and elmer's glue. Some recurrent color themes include purples, greens, indigo, and various shades of orange. Subject themes include a bug series, a self-portrait, and some abstract work. As Zachary lives in Maine, and spends a great deal of time idly running around outside, nature is a recurrent motif.

For the future Zachary simply plans on continuing to develop his art, as part of the first grade curriculum at his local elementary school.

Are Left-Handers in Their Right Mind?

LANGUAGE: I’m a lefty, are you? Chances are about 89% you’re not. If you’re a woman, chances are even less—92%.

Lefties or ‘southpaws’ have a long history of being put upon by the right dominated world. And we’re not just being big cry babies about it. In almost any language or culture, there are words or phrases associated with ‘the left hand’ that mean evil, awkwardness, or outright madness. On the other hand, (pun intended) the right is always ‘skillful,’ ‘correct,’ or ‘good.’ (except in politics of course).

Greek	Skaios	ill fated
Norwegian	Ventrehandsarbeid (left-hand work)	Sloppy or unsatisfactory
Latin	sinister	Left-handed
Irish Gaelic	ciotog	Strange person
French	gauche	Awkward, clumsy
Portuguese	canhoto	Devil
German	linkisch	awkward
Chinese	zuo	improper
English	Left-handed compliment	A veiled insult
English	Two left feet	An awkward dancer

PRODUCTS: Language sometimes translates into reality, so believe it or not there are some products or activities that are difficult (sometimes even dangerous) for lefties.
Can openers. Scissors. Knives. Calligraphy. Pencil sharpeners. Many musical instruments. Writing in notebooks. Corkscrews. Door handles. Key slots. Vegetable peelers. Power saws.

There are a couple of good websites devoted to products for lefties. If you have a couple of wayward relatives, a left-handed cork screw might do them wonders as a thoughtful gift. www.thelefthand.com/ www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/ www.andersonlefthandside.com.au/

FAMOUS LEFTIES: Despite the horrible burdens of left-handedness, many lefties have managed to rise up in the world and lead, create art, write, etc…. Some of my favorite fellow southpaws include:

Leonardo Da Vinci

Queen Victoria of England

Bill Clinton

Benjamin Franklin

David Bowie

Gandhi

Greta Garbo

Bach

Pablo Picasso

Beethoven

Matt Groening

Carol Burnett
HANDEDNESS QUIZ: If you think you might be left-handed, or want to join the club, like me, then you need to take a ‘handedness’ quiz. ‘Handedness’ is determined by your hand preference for completing different tasks. As you may know, (especially if you went to Catholic School), you can be left-handed and not write with your left hand. Sister Josephina made sure of that.

http://airto.bmap.ucla.edu/BMCweb/Private/3TLab/LabNotes/edinburgh.html

The year I was born

What Happened the Year You Were Born?
What happened, way back then? To find out what happened when you were born, click on the link above. BTW, on the year and day I was born, the zip code was first instituted. I know, pretty exciting. AT LEAST I share the year with Johnny Depp.

In 1963 (the year you were born)

Lyndon B. Johnson becomes president of the US A civil rights rally held by 200,000 blacks and whites, features Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech President John F. Kennedy is assassinated as he rides in a motorcade through downtown Dallas Betty Friedan publishes The Feminine Mystique, launching a middle-class feminist movement Michael Jordan, Quentin Tarantino, Conan O'Brien, Johnny Depp, and Brad Pitt are born Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series The Beatles receive their first #1 hit single, when "Please Please Me" tops the charts in the UK NBC expands its evening network news program to 30 minutes The television remote control is authorized by the FCC

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

What's your drag queen name?

Your Drag Queen Name Is:

Pussy Golitely

Drag Queen Name Generator

We know Julie's drag queen name, but what's yours? Mine is Pussy Golitely. Go to the link below, type in your name, & at long last find out your drag queen destiny. If you wish to share, leave your name in the comments section.
http://www.blogthings.com/dragqueennamegenerator/

Julie's Doppelganger- Kitty Lane

My friend Julie's alter ego is a fabulous drag queen named Kitty Lane. She emerged quite suddenly at a rockin butch/femme in 1999, then disappeared. She is fondly remembered by all. Below are a few of Kitty's famous quotes:

• the more cramped the toes, the better the shoes!
• save up for liposuction honey, you'll need it!
• cock-tails anyone?
• Yes, that is my tight little ass, and it's real!!
• donate your hair for a wig: help a drag queen!
  
• it ain't over until the fat, hairy queen starts singing...
• every girl deserves her 15 minutes of fame!
• happiness is a diamond tiara!
• taffeta darling, taffeta!!
• SNAP!
• I have a deep voice? What about Maude??
• Darling, I deal my own deck...

Here's our Kitty below, on the right.....

Weekend UpDate

Weekend Update
This just in....
SCIENTISTS UNVEIL NEANDERTHALS' DNA CODE

THE ANARCHY TIMES POST-POST
A team of American and German geneticists announced this week that the Neaanderthals' DNA code will be completely mapped within two years. If the project is successful, questions long plaguing the scientific community and the world will soon be definitively answered:

1. How long ago did the Neanderthals separate from the human line? and

2. (the sexy question) Did the Neanderthals and modern humans (Cro-Magnon) intermingle?

Only 2% of the DNA sample has been mapped so far, but oddly enough, geneticists have already identified marked and striking similarities between the Neanderthal DNA and the DNA of certain Republicans from Texas. Amazing, glaring, shared traits are as follows:

1. over-barbecues meats
2. inflexible thinking
3. resorts to gestures rather than speech
4. may grab crotch in public
5. difficulty speaking in complete sentences
6. uses violent force rather than negotiation
7. over-exploits the environment
8. underdeveloped arts ability or appreciation
9. furrows brow when puzzled
10. slightly bowlegged and crouched over when walking
11. carries a big club, but has a small brain

Please note specimen below:

Oh My God, Like, How Gay Are You?

HOW GAY AM I?
Well, that's a burning question that's bugged me for awhile. How Gay am I? Can I hang curtains? Do I know all the lyrics to South Pacific? Do I wear tighty whities?

Or, would I rather oil my wrench set? Paint my fingernails?

All these queries an be EASILY answered by taking this short, yet incredibly scientifically sound, informative quiz:
Find out just how gay you are with the Channel 4 Gay-O-Meter http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/G/gayometer/gayometer.html
BTW, I'm 46% gay, which makes me a well-adjusted, lesbian babe. Go figure.

It Could Be Worse!

We know, it's bad...

But listen to the wise, little, Jewish, Man.
"It Could Be Worse!!

• the wrong kidney could have been removed in that painful operation!
• Jesus could really be coming!
• George Bush could be your super friendly, frequently visiting, knee slapping neighbor!
• You could have mistakenly gotten the white powdered doughnut instead of the chocolate sprinkle!
• that heavy rain could continue for 40 days, in a biblical way even!

Pick your favorite:

5 Ideas of Hell

5 ideas of HELL

So they say, one woman's heaven might be another woman's hell.

And that's the way of the world.

Below are a few ideas that, in my little world, would be considered

sizzling, flaming, all out scorching hell:

1. Bush- Cheney '08

2. Driving around in a Ford WindStar

3. Finding myself at a 3 hour Neil Diamond concert

4. living in the burbs somewhere in the middle of Utah

5. perpetual dentist appointments

all five at once=instant death

Tribute to 5 Phenomenal Actresses

Five Phenomenal Actresses and Their Roles

1. Frances McDormand
as Marge Gunderson in Fargo (1996)

2. Lili Taylor
as Valerie Jean Solanas in I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)

3. Shirley MacLaine
as Martha Dobie in The Children's Hour (1961)

4. Helen Mirren
as DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect (1991 T.V.)

5. Geraldine Page
as Mrs. Carrie Watts in Trip To Bountiful (1985)

The Five Pez Dispensers That Should Rule the Planet

PEZ DISPENSERS

Okay, so I know they’re only cartoon heads propped up on top of plastic sticks filled with candy, BUT, some people collect them, some people see deep meaning in them. Some people think they're fun.

SO.....

IF five pez dispensers were to rule the world, here are my choices, with a few sound reasons why these five characters would serve our planet well.

1. Miss Piggy– can serve on the intra/inter species committee. Has some experience flying space ships. Loved a frog that was not a prince.
2. Lucy- will provide minimal cost ($1 hour) mental health counseling (albeit substandard) to all. Bossy when required. Will serve as ‘the brains behind the operation.’ Liked a quiet boy who loved jazz & Chopin.
3. Wonder Woman- will deflect asteroids, nuclear bombs, & other paraphernalia flying thru space. Will kick the butts of unsavory world leaders as necessary. Is way hot & fun to look at.
4. Hello Kitty- Is cute, amusing, & generally fun for all children and many adults. Simply makes people happy.
5. Princess Leia --has experience dealing with inter-galactic beings. Can fly various spacecrafts competently. Wears white all year & looks good. Is way hot (although in a dated way).

See our fair maidens below.

Procrastination Condemnation

Procrastination: If you are guilty...

I finally got around to writing this…. (ha,ha)

Seriously, if you are a procrastinator, (like me), never fear! There are many excellent self-help books published with practical tips for the wayward. A few on my bookshelf include:

Time Management From the Inside Out, by Julie Morgenstern,

It’s About Time: the Six Styles of Procrastination & How To Overcome Them, by Dr. Linda Sapadin.

Overcoming Procrastination, by Albert Ellis & W. Knaus.

The Procrastination Workbook: Your Personalized Program for Breaking Free from the Patterns That Hold You Back, by W. Knaus.

If you can’t manage thumbing through a book, then you can take an online quiz to find out what type of procrastinator you are. http://www.drsapadin.com/quiz/quiz_time.phpAre you a pleasure seeker? A perfectionist? Are you anti-authoritative? Are you dreamy & inattentive? Are you an over-achiever?These are all excellent questions to pinpoint your particular procrastination demons.

Even with the books, quizzes, or kicks in the butt from Mama or the Boss, you may still find the plague of procrastination dogging you. So, here are my tips to change your thinking about procrastination. There’s no point in feeling guilty or stressed!!! Use these thoughts as armor to guard yourself against despair. Sooooo sit back, re-watch that re-run episode of Law & Order, and eat that popcorn…

1. Think of all the famously great people who were also procrastinators. Look at Proust for example. It took him years to write “The Remembrance of Things Past,” and most of the time he was lying in bed!
2. Think to yourself: “I could be dead tomorrow, so at least today I’m not wasting time doing boring tasks like going to the bank, sorting laundry, etc…. I’m having fun!”
3. Think of the Buddha. He certainly was a great person. No one can argue against that!. And he spent hours, weeks even sitting under a Bodhi tree not doing much of anything!
4.Think to yourself: “There’s always tomorrow! And tomorrow! And tomorrow! And it’s always a day away. (Thank god)
6. Think to yourself: “I’m not procrastinating. I’m just waiting for more creative and brilliant ideas to take root.”

Check out my own 'Did You?' procrastination cartoon below....

A Tribute To Ziggy Stardust

During the 70's and 80's David Bowie was in the backdrop of my consciousness, but I was never really a fan at that time . Now I appreciate the man tremendously, especially for his early work, and his uniqueness. Below are the lyrics to one of my favorite Bowie songs, and a few pics. Also check out the link to the 1980 'Ashes To Ashes' music video! Very dated.

Ashes To Ashes
by David Bowie -1980

do you remember a guy that's been
in such an early song
i heard a rumour from ground control
oh no, don't say it's true
they got a message from the action man
i'm happy hope you're happy too
i've loved all i've needed love
sordid details following

the shrieking of nothing is killing
just pictures of jap girls in synthesis
and i ain't got no money and and i ain't got no hair
but i'm hoping to kick but the planet is glowing aglow aglow
ashes to ashes funk to funky
we know major tom's a junky
strung out on heaven's high
hitting an all time low
time and again i tell myself
i'll stay clean tonight
but the little green wheels are following me
oh no not again
i'm stuck with a valuable friend
i'm happy hope you're happy too
one flash of light
but no smoking pistol
i've never done good things
i've never done bad things
i never did anything out of the blue
want an axe to break the ice
want to come down right now

ashes to ashes funk to funky
we know major tom's a junky
strung out on heaven's high
hitting an all time low

my mama said to get things done
you better not mess with major tom
my mama said to get things done
you better not mess with major tom
my mama said to get things done
you better not mess with major tom

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1541951936410297907&q=ashes+to+ashes+david+bowie&hl=en

The Mirror Project

Just when you thought you've seen quite enough of yourself, along comes the Mirror Project. Actually it's a very interesting & clever idea. It's a website where you submit photographs of yourself taken on a reflective surface. I thought of 3 pictures I took years (1989-90) ago. See below. (check out my geeky glasses circa 1989) If you'd like to check out the Mirror Project, follow this link:

www.mirrorproject.com

Adventuresome Heroes/ Heroines

A. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
B. Helge Ingstad
C. Ernest Shackleton
D. Ameila Earhart
E. Sir Edmund Hillary & Tenzing Norgay
F. Anne Bacroft & Liv Arnsen



Match 'Em Up (because of the gender factor & pictures--it's kind of a no-brainer)
1. First Woman to fly the Atlantic
2. Civil War Hero
3. First to climb Mt. Everest
4. First women to cross Antarctica
5. First to cross Antarctica
6. Discovered Viking settlement in Canada

Answers: A 2. B 6. C 5. D 1. E 3. F 4